Marking apparatus



May 1, 1962 F. c. WORTH MARKING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6,1960 2 2 J Z I, O O /m/ m w A m 0 4/ JIM o a 6 w 6 2 5 H 2 a 4 /I E 0 04 6 w, 4 x 52 4 7 4 5 M 4 66176 6 6 V! 0 R18 4 x A 6 00 1 9e 2 F m w I.1 .L e r w we w %s\ m u w x I r. 8 Z Z 6 w w w w INVENTOR. FRANCIS C.WORTH ATTORNEY May 1, 1962 Filed July 6, 1960 F. C. WORTH MARKINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I" Wk III IQ MARK/1V6 STE/VC/L I In)INVENTOR.

Fell/V675 6'. W027 A TTOENE' Y May 1, 1962 F. c. WORTH 3,031,956

' MARKING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1.960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I T 1 x30 128INVEN TOR. FQA/VC/S 6. W02 TH ATTDENEY May 1, 1962 F. c. WORTH MARKINGAPPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 6, 1960 INVENTOR. FRANCIS 6. W02!ATTOENEY York Filed July 6, 196%, Ser. No. 41,181 24 Claims. (Cl.101-119) This invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and moreparticularly is directed to improvements in marking apparatus of thekind applying inked markings or impressions through a stencil.

While the present invention has many applications in the art of applyinginked markings or impressions to articles, it is particularly welladapted for stenciling addresses directly on a plurality of articles,such as cartons or packages conveyed successively past the apparatus,whereby the articles may be directed to an addressee without thenecessity for first stenciling the address on a strip of paper andsubsequently gluing the strip to the article or package.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus of thedescribed character with an improved marking roll or cylinder carryingthe stencil on the surface thereof and adapted to effect the uniformdistribution of ink to the stencil from Within the marking roll orcylinder.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the described characterwith improved means for securing the stencil on the surface of themarking roll or cylinder.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the described characterwherein the feeding of ink to the stencil from within the marking rollor cylinder can be adjustably controlled.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus of the describedcharacter with means for disposing the marking roll or cylinder at apredetermined rotational position at the conclusion of each markingoperation, in order to ensure that the applied marking will appear atthe same location on each of the articles conveyed past the markingapparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus havinga plurality of stencil carrying marking rolls or cylinders disposed atspaced apart locations along a conveyor carrying the articles to bemarked, and having means for selecting which of the marking rolls willbe operative to mark the successive conveyed articles;

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of the describedcharacter with means for conveniently adjusting the extent of thecontact of the marking roll or cylinder with each of the conveyedarticles and also for adjusting the pressure of such contact.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, the marking roll orcylinder comprises a cylindrical shell or body having an axially spacedapart series of circular discs arranged therein to divide the interiorof the shell into compartments communicating successively throughoverflow tubes which are spaced or offset from each other in successivediscs so that, when ink is admitted to the interior of the body at oneend of the latter, such ink fills the adjacent compartment and thenoverflows into the next adjacent compartment until all of thecompartments are substantially tilled in order, and the shellfurther hasradial holes opening from each compartment to permit the escape of'inktherethrough for impregnating an ink absorbent pad that extends aroundthe body and underlies a stencil secured to the surface of the markingroll.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the marking rollhas a vertical axle extending centrally through the circular discs whichare spaced apart within the cylindrical shell making up its body, andsuch axle has an up- 3,031,956 Patented May 1, 1962 per hollow portionreceiving ink from a reservoir secured to the upper end of the axle withopenings extending from said upper hollow portion to feed ink to theuppermost compartment, while the lower portion of the axle is alsohollow and has openings to receive ink from the lowermost compartmentwhen the compartments have all been substantially filled in order,whereupon the lower end of the axle can be closed by a removable plug.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a sleeve extendsaround the shell or body of the marking roll and is circumferentiallymovable relative to the latter, and the sleeve has radial openingsadapted to be more or less registered with the radial openings of theshell for adjustably controlling the feeding of ink to the absorbentpad.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the body ofthe marking roll has end members defining annular grooves openingaxially toward each other to receive the opposite edges of the inkabsorbent pad which extends over less than the full circumference of thebody, and the stencil has stiffened end edge portions projecting beyondthe ends of the absorbent pad and engaging in the annular grooves withone of the stiffened end edge portions of the stencil being frictionallyheld against the outer sleeve by a bowed spring strip having its endsremovably engaged in the annular grooves.

Further, the body of the marking roll or cylinder is adapted to bedriven by friction clutch members interposed between the body andindependently rotatable bearer rims engageable by the conveyed articlebeing marked, and a latch mechanism is provided for releasably holdingthe body against rotation in a predetermined rotational position sothat, upon release of the latch mechanism, the engagement of a conveyedarticle with the bearer rims causes rotation of the body until thelatter returns to the rotational position where the latch mechanism isagain engaged to halt rotation of the body While the bearer rimscontinue to rotate so long as they are engaged by the conveyed article.1

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention,will be apparent in the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment thereof .which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View, partly broken away and in section, ofa marking apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the marking roll included inthe apparatus of FIG. 1, but with the stencil removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3,but with the stencil shown positioned on the marking roll;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along the line 66of FIG. 1, and showing details of the latch arrangement for locating themarking roll in a predetermined rotational position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a stencil intended for use with the markingapparatus embodying the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing several of the markingapparatuses of FIG. 1 arranged next to an article conveyor forselectively marking the articles.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2thereof, it will be seen that a marking apparatus embodying the presentinvention which is there generally identified by the reference numeral10 includes a base 12 having slots 14 therein (FIG. 2) through whichscrews 1-6 can extend for adjustably securing the base to suitablesupporting structure at one side of a conveyor C (FIG. 2) adapted tomove successive articles A past the marking apparatus in the directionindicated by the arrow 18 on FIG. 2.

. The base has a hollow boss 20 in which the lower end of a vertical rodor post 22 is secured, for example, by a set screw 24. v

A support arm generally identified by the reference numeral 26 includesa sleeve 28 at one end which is slich able on post 22 and which has aradial, elongated extension 38 at the top forming a top wall of thesupport arm, and side walls 32 and 34 which depend from the oppositeside edges of top wall 30' and cooperate with the latter to provide aninverted U-shaped cross section for the support arm 26.

The bearing sleeve 28 of support arm 26 is adjustably positioned alongpost 22 by means of a lower split clamp 36 gripping post 22, belowsleeve 2b and supporting the latter, and a split clamp 38 which gripspost 22 above the bearing sleeve and functions both to prevent upwardmovement of the support arm and as a stop for limiting angulardisplacement of the support arm about the axle of post 22 by cooperatingwith an abutment 40' secured to the top wall 39 of support arm 26 bymeans of screws 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the split clamp 38 has a flatsurface 44 at one side which is engageable selectively with convergingsurfaces 46 and 48 formed on the abutment 40 in order to limit theangular movement of sup- PQrt arm 26 in opposite directions with respectto the post 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bearing sleeve 28 of support arm 26 has a lowerportion 50 with a reduced outer diameter, and a helical spring 52extends around that lower portion b and has its opposite ends secured tothe clamp '56 and the sleeve 23, as by screws 54 and 56, respectively.The spring 52 is arranged to yieldably urge arm 26 to move about theaxis of post 22 in the direction displacing the free end of arm 26toward the adjacent side of the conveyor carrying the articles to bemarked. Thus, in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the helicalspring 52 urges arm 26 in the clockwise direction relative to post 22while the mutual engagement of the surfaces 44 and 46 on stop 38 andabutment 4i limits the spring urged movement. It will be apparent thatthe limited position of arm 26 can be easily adjusted merely byloosening the split clamp forming the stop 38 and turning such stopabout the axis of post 22 to an adjusted position where the clamp isagain tightened. It is also to be noted that the force exerted by thespring 52 in urging the free end of arm 26 toward the conveyor can beadjusted by loosening the clamp 36 and turning the latter about post 22prior to tightening the clamp in its adjusted position.

An elongated plate or bar 58 is secured between the free ends of sidewalls 32 and 34 and extends parallel to the axis of post 22, andhorizontally extending upper and lower end plates 69 anad 62,respectively, project outwardly from the upper and lower ends ofelongated plate 58 and are secured to the latter, for example, byknurled screws 64 and locating pins 66 (FIG. 2).

A marking roll or cylinder generally identified by the reference numeral68 is mounted between end plates 60 and 62 for rotation about an axisparallel to the axis of post 22. Referring in detail to FIGS. 3, 4 and5, it will be seen that the marking roll 68 of the illustratedembodiment of the invention includes an axle 70 carrying a cylindricalbody made up of circular end members 72 secured on axle 70 at axiallyspaced apart locations, for example, by means of set screws 74 (FIG. 4),a cylindrical shell 76 extending between end members 72 coaxially withaxle 70 and spaced radially from the latter, and a series of axiallyspaced discs 78 having central openings through which the axle 70extends and being fixed to the latter, for example, by having a pressedfit thereon, so as to divide the interior of the cylindrical body into aseries of compartments 80. Projecting upwardly from each of the discs 72are a plurality of open ended overflow tubes 82 which have an axiallength slightly smaller than the axial dimension of the relatedcompartment 89. The successive discs 73 are angularly displaced relativeto each other about the axle 74 so that the overflow tubes 32 ofadjacent discs 78 will be spaced or offset relative to each other, as isapparent in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In order to supply ink to'the interior of the above describedcylindrical body, the axle 76 is formed with an axial bore in its upperportion and opening at the top end of the to receive ink from areservoir or tank 36 having a screw cap or cover 88 and a threaded neck90 engaging internal threads formed near the top of bore 84. Openings 92extend radially from the lower end of bore 84- and open into theuppermost compartment 80. Thus, ink supplied to the bore 84 from thereservoir 86 will initially substantially till the uppermost compartmentiii) until the level of the ink in that compartment reaches the upperends of the related overflow tubes 82. Further ink supplied to theuppermost compartment 80 will overflow through the related tubes 82 intothe next lower compartment 843 until the ink in the latter reaches thelevel of the upper ends of the related overflow tubes 82.

It will be apparent that the compartments 89 of the marking roll 68 willbe successively substantially filled in a descending order. In order topermit one to determine when the lowermost compartment 86* has beensubstantially filled, the axle 7b is further formed with a downwardlyopening axial bore 94 extending at least through its lower portion andbeing isolated from the axial bore 84. Radial openings 96 open from theaxial bore 24 into the lowermost compartment 86 adjacent the top of thelatter so that, when the lowermost compartment is substantially filled,ink from such compartment will flow through the radial openings 96 intoaxial bore 94 for discharge from the lower end of the axle 70. After inkhas begun to be discharged from the lower end of axle 70, a threadedplug 98 is inserted into the lower end of axial bore 94 so as to closethe interior of marking roll 63 during normal operation.

In order to permit the controlled escape of ink from each of thecompartments St}, the cylindrical shell '76 is formed withcircumferentially staggered rows of radial openings 1% communicatingwith each of compartments 8t and the shell 76 is substantiallysurrounded by a longitudinally split cylindrical sleeve 102 which isturnable relative to shell '76 and which is formed with correspondingrows of radial openings 1% over a major portion of the circumference ofthe sleeve 102. A minor circumferential portion of sleeve 192 isimperforate and is preferably diametrically opposed to the longitudinalsplit 195 (FIG. 5) of the sleeve, and this imperfcrate portion of sleeve102 is preferably provided with a projection 108 on its outer surface bywhich sleeve 102 may be manu ally grasped for effecting rotation thereofrelative to shell 76. It will be apparent that, by turning sleeve 12relative to the underlying shell 76, the degree of registration of theradial openings and 104 can be varied, thereby to control the rate atwhich ink is permitted to escape radially outward from the severalcompartments 80.

As shown particularly in FIG. 4, the circular end members 72 projectradially beyond shell 76 and sleeve 102 and are formed with annulargrooves 110 opening axially toward each other to receive the upper andlower edges of an ink absorbent pad 112 formed of felt or the like. Thepad 112 extends around the major portion of sleeve 102 having theopenings or perforations 104, as is apparent in FIG. 5, and the oppositeend edges of pad 112 are bound by metal clamping strips 114 (FIGS. 3 and5) which, at their opposite ends, extend into grooves 110 and aresecured, as by screws 116, to the sleeve 102 so that the latter and thepad 112 can be turned, as a unit, relative to shell 76.

It will be apparent that, as the total quantity of ink within markingroll 68 is diminished, the quantity of ink within the individualcompartments 81) will remain uni form, thereby to ensure the uniformfeeding of ink to the pad 112 along the entire axial length of thelatter. Further, by turning sleeve 102 and pad 112 as a unit relative toshell 76, the effective sizes of the openings through which ink is fedfrom compartments 8% to pad 112 may be varied, thereby to adjust therate of feeding of ink to the absorbent pad 112.

The marking roll or cylinder 68 is intended to support, and apply ink toa stencil 118 which, as shown in FIG. 7, is generally rectangular andformed of paper or other suitably flexible sheet material. The oppositeend edges of stencil 118 have stiffened portions 12d extending acrossthe full Width of the stencil which is greater than the axial distancebetween the circular end members 72 of the cylindrical body of themarking roll. The opposite longitudinal edges of stencil 118 are notchedor cut out, as at 122, immediately adjacent the stiffened end edgeportions 120 so that, when the stencil 118 is wrapped around the inkabsorbent pad 112 of the marking roll, the longitudinal edges of thestencil overlie the end members 72, while the notches or cutouts 122permit the opposite ends of the stiffened edge portions 120 of thestencil to be engaged in the annular grooves 1-16 of end members 72 atlocations lying in the circumferential gap between the opposite endedges of pad 112 (FIG. 5).

The stencil 118 is longitudinally dimensioned so that, when one of thestiffened edge portions 126 is pulled along the grooves 11% of endmembers 72 to seat tightly against one of the edge clamps 114 of theinking pad 112, the opposite stiffened edge portion 120 of the stencilwill also be disposed adjacent the raised portion or projection 103 ofsleeve 1G2, and will be frictionally gripped against the sleeve to holdthe stencil 118 taut on the inking pad, by means of a normally inwardlybowed spring metal strip 124 which has its opposite ends removablyreceived in the annular grooves 110 of end members 72, as indicated inbroken lines on FIG. 3.

It is intended that the cylindrical body of marking roll or cylinder 68be rotated by frictional engagement with each of the successive articlesconveyed past the marking apparatus along the path 18 so that eacharticle effects rotation of the marking roll and is, in turn, marked bythe stencil 118 carried by the marking roll. In order to effect suchrotation of the marking roll, the latter further includes bearer discs126 which are rotatable on the axle 70 adjacent the upper and lower endmembers 72 and have rubber rims 123 adapted to be frictionally engagedby the successive conveyed articles. Friction clutch discs 130 areaxially interposed between the bearer discs 130 are axially interposedbetween the bearer discs 126 and the adjacent end members 72, andhelical compression springs 132 are axially interposed between thebearer discs 126 and abutment rings 134 received in suitable annulargrooves formed in the outer surface of axle 76 in order to urge thebearer discs axially toward the adjacent end members 72 so that, Whenthe bearer discs are rotated by frictional engagement of a conveyedarticle with their rims 128, the friction clutch discs 130 tend to causerotation of the body of the marking roll with the bearer discs.

However, by reason of the frictional connection between the cylindricalbody of the marking roll and the bearer discs 126, it is apparent thatthe latter can continue to be rotated by engagement with a conveyedarticle while the cylindrical body is forcibly held against rotation.

In order to hold the body of marking roll 68 in a predeterminedrotational position, the marking apparatus further includes a latchmember 136 (FIGS. 1 and 6) which extends slidably through a bore 138formed in the lower portion of the elongated plate 58. Latch member 136is urged against the periphery of the lower end member 72 of the markingroll by an elongated leaf spring 140 which lies against the back surfaceof elongated plate 58 and is secured, at its upper and lower ends, toplate 53 and latch member 136, respectively, as by screws 142 and 144.The outer peripheral surface of the lower end member 72 of marking roll68 is formed with a keeper notch or recess 146 (FEGS. 3 and 6) which isadapted to receive the spring urged latch member 136 when the body ofthe marking roll is in a predetermined rotational position, thereby toprevent rotation of the body of the marking roll in the counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 6, from that rotational position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the latch member 136 is adapted to be withdrawn fromthe notch or recess 146 by means of a solenoid 148 having its armature150 pivotally connected, as at 152, to one end of a link 154 which hasits opposite end pivotally connected, as at 156, to a lug 158 secured toleaf spring 140 intermediate the ends thereof so that, when solenoid 148is suitably energized and retracts its armature 150, spring 148 isflexed away from elongated plate 58 and thereby withdraws latch member136 away from the periphery of the lower end member 72. The solenoid 148may be disposed within support arm 26, as shown, and supported by screws160 extending through the top wall 31 of the support arm, and electriccurrent for energizing the solenoid may be supplied by way of anelectrical receptacle 162 mounted in a side wall 32 of the support armand having its terminals connected to the solenoid by way of suitablewires.

The electrical circuit for energizing solenoid 148 may be momentarilyclosed by a suitable switch controlled by the conveyed article to bemarked, or otherwise, so that, after a conveyed article has moved intoengagement with the bearer rims 128 to effect rotation thereof, thelatch member 136 is momentarily disengaged from the recess 146 to permitrotation of the stencil carrying body with the bearer discs. Since thesolenoid-148 is only momentarily energized during each marking cycle,the latch member 136 is urged by the spring 140 to ride against theperiphery of the lower end member 72 during the completion of therevolution of the body of the marking roll and, when the latter returnsto the rotational position Where the notch or recess 146 again registerswith the latch member 136, the latter enters the recess or notch toprevent further rotation of the body of the marking roll, while thebearer discs continue to rotate so long as the rims thereof arefrictionally engaged by the conveyed article which has been marked.

It will be apparent that, during the rotation of the body of the markingroll 68, as described above, the stencil 118 carried by the periphery ofthe marking roll will enter into rolling and marking engagement with theconveyed article causing rotation and thereby apply an inked marking tothe article. By reason of the division of the interior of the markingroll into compartments 80 which communicate with each other by way ofoverflow tubes 82, ink is distributed to the pad 112 under a hydrostaticpressure that is substantially uniform at the upper and lower ends ofthe pad, thereby to ensure the uniform feeding of ink to the pad and theuniform intensity of the entire marking applied to the article by thestencil 118.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing description of theillustrative embodiment of the invention that in employing the disclosedapparatus for addressing articles or packages, the address is applieddirectly to the articles or packages exactly at the same location oneach article, which not only results in the address being appliedwithout smudging, but also results-in the saving of labor and mas terialin the elimination of the usual procedure of providing paper strips onwhich the address is first applied and then subsequently gluing the sameon the article or package, which procedure often results in the stripsbeing ap plied at different locations on each article, smudging of theinked impressions on the strips due to handling, and accidental removalof the strips before or during shipment due to improper'adhesion of thestrips to the articles or package.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, it will be seen that two ormore marking apparatuses, for exarnple, the marking apparatuses Illa,ltlb and ltlc, can be mounted at spaced apart locations along theconveyor C, with each marking apparatus which is only schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 8 being similar to the apparatus 16 embodying thepresent invention, as previously described in detail. Thus, the markingapparatuses ltla, ltlb and the include marking rolls or cylinders 68a,68b and 68c which may carry different stencils for addressing thearticles or packages to be shipped to difierent addressees.

As in the embodiment of the invention previously described in detail,each of the marking rolls 63a, 63b and 630 is normally held againstrotation in a predetermined rotational position by a latch mechanismwhich is momentarily released upon energization of a related solenoid148a, 1481) or 1480. Thus, as the successive articles A are carried pastthe marking apparatuses ltla, 1% and tile by the conveyor C, eacharticle is only marked by that marking apparatus which is thenconditioned to have its solenoid energized to release the relatedmarking roll for rotation by the article. FIG. 8 illustrates a suitableelectric circuit by which one of the marking apparatuses may be selectedfor marking of the successive conveyed articles. in the illustratedelectric circuit, the solenoids 148a, 14-312 and l48c are connected tothe usual electric supply lines L and L by suitable conductors havingmanually controllable switches 64m 16% and 1640, respectively, andmicroswitches 166a, 166k and 1660, respectively, interposed therein inseries with the related solenoids so that each solenoid can be energizedonly when the related manually controlled switch and microswitch aresimultaneously closed. The microswitches 166a, 166b and 166s aresuitably positioned adjacent the path of the conveyor C so as to beclosed by engagement with a conveyed article when the latter reaches apredetermined position with respect to the related marking apparatus.Thus, as the articles A are conveyed past each marking apparatus, therelated microswitch is closed to condition the electric circuit forenergization of the solenoid 148a, 1431; or 1480, provided that therelated manual switch is then in closed position.

It will be apparent that, with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 8, abattery or plurality of marking apparatuses embodying the presentinvention can be employed for differently addressing the successiveconveyed articles.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the precise structuralarrangements of such embodiments, and that various changes andmodifications may be effected therein without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a hollowcylindrical body arranged with its axis extending substantiallyvertically and having vertically spaced apart partitions extendingacross its interior to divide the latter into a plurality ofcompartments, means for supplying ink to the uppermost one of saidcompartments, overflow means establishing communication between each ofsaid compartments and the next lower compartment so that thecompartments are substantially filled with ink in successivelydescending order by ink supplied to said uppermost compartment, saidcylindrical body having radial openings communicating with each of saidcompartments, and an inking pad extending around said body to receiveink flowing out of said radial openings from said compartments.

2. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a hollowcylindrical body arranged with its axis extending substantiallyvertically and having vertically spaced apart partitions extendingacross its interior to divide the latter into a plurality ofcompartments, means for supplying ink to the. uppermost one of saidcompartments, overflow tending around said body to receive the inkflowing out of said radial openings.

3. in a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a hollowcylindrical body arranged with its axis extending substantiallyvertically and having vertically spaced apart partitions extendingacross its interior to divide the latter into a plurality ofcompartments, means for supplying ink to the uppermost one of saidcompartments, overflow means establishing communication between each ofsaid compartments and the next lower compartment so that thecompartments are substantially filled with ink in successivelydescending order by ink supplied to said uppermost compartment, saidcylindrical body having radial openings communicating with each of saidcompartments, a sleeve extending rota tably around said cylindrical bodyand having radial openings for selective registration with said radialopenings of the cylindrical body in order to control the discharge ofink from said compartments, and an inking pad in covering relationshipto said sleeve to receive the ink flowing through the registered radialopenings of said body and sleeve.

4-. in a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a hollowcylindrical body arranged with itsaxis extending vertically and havingvertically spaced apart partitions extending across its interior todivide the latter into a plurality of compartments, means for supplyingink to the uppermost one of said compartments, each of said partitionshaving open-ended overflow tubes projecting upwardly therefrom and beingspaced laterally with respect to the overflow tubes of adjacentpartitions so that said compartments will be successively filled indescending order up to the tops of said overflow tubes by ink suppliedto said uppermost compartment, said cylindrical body having radialopenings extending from each of said compartments to permit thedischarge of ink from the latter, and an inking pad extending aroundsaid body to receive the ink discharged from said compartments. 5. in amarking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a hollow cylindrical bodyarranged with its axis extending vertically and having vertically spacedapart partitions extending across its interior to divide the latter intoa plurality of compartments, means for supplying ink to the uppermostone of said compartments, each of said partitions having open-endedoverflow tubes projecting upwardly therefrom and being spaced laterallywith respect to the overflow tubes of adjacent partitions so that saidcompartments will be successively filled in descending order up to thetops of said overflow tubes by ink supplied to said uppermostcompartment, said cylindrical body having radial openings extending fromeach of said compartments to permit the discharge of ink from thelatter, a sleeve extending rotatably around said cylindrical body andhaving radial openings for selective registration with said radialopenings of the body in order to control the rate of discharge of inkfrom said compartments, and an inking pad in covering relationship tosaid sleeve to receive the ink discharged through the registered radialopenings of said body and sleeve.

6. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a hollowcylindrical body arranged with its axis extending substantiallyvertically and having vertically spaced apart partitions extendingacross its interior to dived the latter into a plurality ofcompartments, means for supplying ink to the uppermost one of saidcompartments, overflow means establishing communication between each ofsaid compartments and the next lower compartment so that thecompartments are substantially filled with ink in successivelydescending order by ink supplied to said uppermost compartment, saidcylindrical body having radial openings communicating with each of saidcompartments, an inking pad extending around said body to receive inkflowing out of said openings from said compartments, and means forsecuring a stencil on said body in covering relation to said pad.

7. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a vertical axlehaving hollow upper and lower portions, a cylindrical body mounted onsaid axle and having vertically spaced partitions extending across theinterior of the body to divide said interior into a plurality ofcompartments, said axle having radial passages opening from said hollowupper portion into the uppermost one of said compartments so that inkcan be supplied to said uppermost compartment through said hollow upperportion of the axle, said partitions having open-ended overflow tubesprojecting upwardly therefrom and being spaced laterally with respect tothe overflow tubes of adjacent partitions so that ink supplied to saiduppermost compartment can flow downwardly to the successively lowercompartments after filling each compartment to the top of the relatedoverflow tubes, said axle further having radial passages opening intosaid hollow lower portion at locations adjacent the top of the lowermostof said compartments so that ink can drain from said hollow lowerportion to indicate substantial filling of all of said compartments,means normally closing said hollow lower portion of the axle, saidcylindrical body having radial openings extending from each of saidcompartments to permit the discharge of ink from the latter, and aninking pad extending around said body to receive the ink discharged fromsaid compartments.

8. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a vertical axlehaving hollow upper and lower portions, a cylindrical body mounted onsaid axle and having vertically spaced partitions extending across theinterior of the body to divide said interior into a plurality ofcompartments, said axle having radial passages opening from said hollowupper portion into the uppermost one of said compartments so that inkcan be supplied to said uppermost compartment through said hollow upperportion of the axle, said partitions having open-ended overflow tubesprojecting upwardly therefrom and being spaced laterally with respect tothe overflow tubes of adjacent partitions so that ink supplied to saiduppermost compartment can flow downwardly to the successively lowercompartments after filling each compartment to the top of the relatedoverflow tubes, said axle further having radial passages opening intosaid hollow lower portion at locations adjacent the top of the lowermostof said compartments so that ink can drain from said hollow lowerportion to indicate substantial filling of all of said compartments,means normally closing said hollow lower portion of the axle, saidcylindrical body having radial openings extending from each of saidcompartments to permit the discharge of ink from the latter, a sleeverotatable on said cylindrical body and having radial openings forselective registration with said radial openings of the body, thereby tocontrol the rate of discharge of ink from said compartments, and aninking pad in covering relation to said sleeve to be impregnated withthe ink discharged through the registered radial openings of said bodyand sleeve.

9. in a marking apparatus; a marking roll as in claim 8, furthercomprising an ink storage tank mounted on the upper end of said axle andopening into said hollow upper portion of the latter.

10. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a verticalcylindrical shell, circular end members closing the upper and lower endsor" said shell and extending radially outward beyond the latter,vertically spaced apart partitions extending laterally across theinterior of said shell between said end members to divide said interiorinto a plurality of compartments, means for supplying ink to theuppermost of said compartments, open-ended overflow tubes projectingupwardly from each of said partitions so that ink supplied to saiduppermost compartment can flow downwardly to the successively lowercompartments after filling each compartment to the tops of the overflowtubes therein, said shell having radial openings extending from each ofsaid compartments to permit the discharge of ink from the latter, saidend members having annular grooves opening axially toward each other atthe outside of said shell, an inking pad engaging in said grooves andextending around only a portion of the circumference of said shell so asto leave a gap between the ends of said pad, a stencil covering said padand having stiffened edge portions extending into said gap and engaging,at their opposite ends, in said grooves, and means engaging one of saidstiffened edge portions of the stencil for maintaining the latter intaut condition around the pad.

11. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll comprising a. verticalcylindrical shell, circular end members closing the upper and lower endsof said shell and extending radially outward beyond the latter,vertically spaced apart partitions extending laterally across theinterior of Said shell between said end members to divide said interiorinto a plurality of compartments, means for supplying ink to theuppermost of said compartments, open-ended overflow tubes projectingupwardly from each of said partitions so that ink supplied to saiduppermost compartment can flow downwardly to the successively lowercompartments after filling each compartment to the tops of the overflowtubes therein, said shell having'radial openings extending from each ofsaid compartments to permit the discharge of ink from the latter, saidend members having annular grooves opening axially toward each other atthe outside of said shell, a sleeve rotatable on said shell and havingradial openings only in a major circumferential portion thereof forselective registration with said radial openings of the shell so as tocontrol the rate of discharge of ink from said compartments, theremaining minor circumferential portion of said sleeve beingimperforate, an inking pad engaging insaid grooves and extending aroundonly said major portion of the sleeve so as to leave a gap between theends of the pad at said imperforate portion of the sleeve, a stencilcovering said pad and having stifiened edge portions extending into saidgap and engaging, at their ends, in said grooves, and means engaging oneoftsaid stiflened edge portions of the stencil for maintaining thelatter in taut condition around the pad.

12. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll as in claim 11, wherein saidsleeve has a radial projection extending from said imperforate portionin said gap to permit manual grasping of said projection for turningsaid sleeve relative to said shell.

13. In a marking apparatus; a marking roll as in claim 11, wherein saidmenas engaging one stiffened edge portion of the stencil includes aspring strip which is normally bowed inwardly at the center and has itsopposite ends engaged in said grooves with said center of the stripbearing upon said one stiffened edge portion to clamp the latter againstsaid sleeve.

14. In a marking apparatus; the combination of a marking roll comprisinga vertical axle having hollow upper and lower portions, a cylindricalbody mounted on said axle and having vertically spaced. partitionsextending across the interior of the body to divide said interior into aplurality of compartments, said axle having radial passages opening fromsaid hollow upper portion into the uppermost one of said compartments sothat ink can be supplied to said uppermost compartment through saidhollow upper portion of the axle, said partitions having open-endedoverflow tubes projecting upwardly therefrom and being spaced laterallywith respect to the overflow tubes of adjacent partitions so that inksupplied to said uppermost compartment can flow spon es downwardly tothe successively lower compartments after filling each compartment tothe top of the related overflow tubes, said body having radial openingsextending from each of said compartments to permit the discharge ofinkfrom the latter, an inking pad extending around said body to receivethe ink discharged from said compartments, means for securing a stencilover said pad, bearer discs rotatable on said axle above and below saidbody and adapted to be frictionally engaged and rotated by a conveyedarticle to be marked, clutch discs between said bearer discs and theadjacent ends of said cylindrical body for urging the latter to rotatewith said bearer discs, and latch means operative to hold said bodyagainst rotation in a predetermined rotational position.

15. In a marking apparatus; the combination as in claim 14, wherein saidcylindrical body has a radially opening recess adjacent one of said endsthereof, and said latch means includes a latch member spring urgedagainst said body adiacent said one end to enter said recess and holdsaid body against rotation, and electro-magnetically operated means forwithdrawing said latch member from said recess, thereby to free saidbody for rotation with said bearer discs.

16. A marking apparatus comprising a base adapted to be mounted adjacentone side of the path of successive conveyed articles to be marked andhtving an upstanding post, a support arm extending radially from saidpost and being slidably mounted on the latter, upper and lower clampsreleasably gripping said post above and below said arm, respectively,for adjustably locating said arm along said post, a marking rollincluding a cylindrical body on an axle extending therethrough andhaving means for securing marking means on the periphery of said body,bearer discs rotatable on said axle at the opposite ends of the body andadapted for peripheral engagement and rotation by the successiveconveyed articles, friction clutch discs betwen said bearer discs andsaid body tending to cause the latter to rotate with said bearer discsand releasable latch means for holding said body in a predeterminedrotational position, means mounting said roll on the free end of saidarm for rotation relative to the latter about an axis parallel to saidpost, a helical coil spring on said post and connected at its oppositeends to said arm and to one of said clamps for urging said armto swingrelative to said post in the direction moving said marking roll towardthe path of the conveyed articles Where said bearer discs arefrictionally driven by the latter to cause rotation of said body uponrelease of said latch means, and cooperating means on said arm and theother of said clamps for adjustably limiting the swing movement of saidarm under the urging of said spring.

17. A marking apparatus as in claim 16; wherein said means mounting saidmarking roll on the free end of the support arm includes an elongatedplate secured to said free end of the arm and extending parallel to saidpost, and end plates extending perpendicular to said elongated plate atthe opposite ends of the latter and having said axle journalled therein;and wherein said body has a radially opening recess, and said latchmeans includes a latch member extending slidably through said elongatedplate to engage in said recess, a leaf spring secured at one end to saidelongated plate and connected to said latch member to'urge the lattertoward said body of the marking roll, a solenoid carried by said supportarm, and means connecting said solenoid to said leaf spring to withdrawsaid latch member from said recess upon energization of said solenoid.

18. A marking apparatus as in claim 17; wherein said body of the markingroll includes a cylindrical shell having end members closing the upperand lower ends of the shell and vertically spaced apart partitionsextending acrossthe interior of said shell to divide said interior intoa plurality of compartments, means for introducing ink to the uppermostof said compartments through the upper end of said axle, each of saidpartitions having overflow means to permit the compartments to fillsuccessively to levels determined by said overflow means, said shellhaving radial openings for the discharge of ink from each of saidcompartments, and an inking pad extending around said shell to receivethe ink discharged from said compartments and to apply the ink tomarking means in the form of a stencil convering said pad.

19. In a marking apparatus, an inking roll receiving ink from a sourceof supply, circular end members at opposite ends of said roll and havingantinular grooves opening axially toward each other at the periphery ofsaid roll, an inking pad extending around a portion of the periphery ofsaid roll, a stencil covering said pad, sai

stencil having longitudinal edge portions resting on the peripheries ofsaid end members and formed with notches adjacent the opposite ends ofthe stencil, said ends of the stencil having laterally extending edgeportions projecting, at their opposite ends, beyond said notches andengaging in said grooves for holding said ends of the stencil on saidroll, and means maintaining the stencil in taut condition around thepad;

20. In a marking apparatus, an inking roll receiving ink from a sourceof supply, circular end members at opposite ends of said roll and havingannular grooves opening axially toward each other at the periphery ofsaid roll, an inking pad engaging in said grooves and extending around aportion of the periphery of said roll so as to leave a gap between theends of the pad, a stencil covering said pad and having laterallyextending edge portions extending into said gap, said stencil havinglongitudinal edge portions resting on the peripheries of said endmembers and formed with notches adjacent said laterally extending edgeportions so that the ends of the latter project beyond said notches,said laterally extending edge portions being stiilened and engaging attheir opposite ends, in said grooves, and means engaging one of saidstiffened edge portions of the stencil for maintaining the latter intaut condition around the pad.

21. in a marking apparatus, a marking roll comprising a perforatedcylindrical shell, circular end members closing the ends of the shelland extending radially outward beyond the latter, means for supplyingink to the interior of said shell, said end members having annulargrooves opening axially inward toward each other, an inking pad engagingin said grooves and extending around a portion of the circumference ofsaid shell so as to leave a gap between the ends of the pad, a stencilcovering said pad and having stiffened laterally extending edge portionsprojecting into said gap, said stencil having longitudinal edge portionsresting on the peripheries of said end members and formed with notchesadjacent said laterally extending edge'portions so that the ends of saidlaterally extending edge portions project beyond said notches, said endsof the longitudinally extending edge portions engaging in said grooves,and means engaging one of said stiiiened edge portions of the stencilfor maintaining the latter in taut condition around the pad.

22. In a marking apparatus, a marking roll comprising a perforatedcylindrical shell, circular end members closing the ends of the shelland extending radially outward beyond the latter, means for supplyingink to the interior of saidshell, said end members having annulargrooves opening axially inward toward each other, an inking pad engagingin said grooves and extending around a portion of the circumferenceofsaid shell so as to leave a gap between the ends of the pad, a stencilcovering said pad and having stifiened laterally extending edge portionsprojecting into said gap, said stencil having longitudinal edge portionsresting on the peripheries of said end members and formed with notchesadjacent said laterally extending edge portions so that the ends of thelatter project beyond said notches and are engaged in said grooves, oneof said stiffened edge portions engaging a related transverse edge ofsaid pad to hold said one edge portion against circumferentialdisplacement relative to said shell, and a spring strip normally bowedinwardly at its center and having its opposite ends engaged in saidgrooves with said center bearing upon the other of said stiffened edgeportions of the stencil for maintaining the latter in taut conditionaround the pad.

23. The combination of a conveyor carrying successive articles to bemarked; a plurality of marking devices disposed at spaced apartlocations alongside said conveyor, each of said marking devicesincluding a marking roll having a rotatable body carrying marking meansand being rotatable by each of the successive articles passing therelated marking device, latch means for holding the body againstrotation in a predetermined rotational position, means for releasingsaid latch means so as to free said body for rotation; and an electriccontrol circuit for said releasing means of each of said marking devicesincluding article actuated switch means located along said conveyor soas to be engaged by each article as the latter reaches a predetermniedposition with respect to the related marking device, and a selectorswitch, said article actuated switch and selector switch of each circuitbeing connected in series with the related releasing means so that thelatter is operated only upon simultaneous closing of both switches,whereby the conveyed articles can be marked by the marking means of aselected one of said marking devices by actuating the related selectorswitch.

24. The combination of a conveyor carrying successive articles to bemarked; a plurality of marking devices disposed at spaced apartlocations alongside said conveyor, each of said marking devicesincluding a marking roll having a rotatable body carrying marking means,bearer discs engageable and rotatable by each of the successive articlespassing the related marking device, clutch means tending to rotate thebody with the related bearer discs, releasable latch means for holdingthe body against rotation in a predetermined rotational position, andelectro-magnetically operated means for releasing said latch means so asto free said body for rotation with the related bearer discs; and anelectric control circuit for said electro-magnetically operatedreleasing means of each of said marking devices including articleactuated switch means located along said conveyor so as to be engaged byeach article as the latter reaches a predetermined position with respectto the related marking device and a selector switch, said articleactuated switch and selector switch of each circuit being connected inseries with the related electro-magnetically operated releasing means sothat the latter is operated only upon simultaneous closing of bothswitches, whereby the conveyed articles can be marked by the markingmeans of a selected one of said marking devices by actuating the relatedselector switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,731,739 DuBelle Oct. 15, 1929 2,235,778 Samuels Mar. 18, 19412,280,328 Weltmer et a1 Apr. 21, 1942 2,612,834 Sherman Oct. 7, 19522,636,436 Mann Apr. 28, 1953 2,691,936 Farkas et a1. Oct. 19, 19542,743,670 Bailey May 1, 1956 2,746,380 Gottscho May 22, 1956 2,880,669Hirschey Apr. 7, 1959

